Joint British-French Air Strike Strikes IS Weapons Depot in Syria
Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter aircraft have conducted a mission with France's air force in a joint strike against an underground arms cache in Syrian territory operated by the Daesh militant organization, per a report from the UK's MoD.
The facility, pinpointed through intelligence, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was positioned in mountainous terrain just north of the ancient city of Palmyra in central Syria.
"Our aircraft employed laser-guided Paveway IV weapons to hit a several access tunnels leading to the facility... early reports indicate the target was engaged successfully," officials stated.
There was no evidence of any harm to civilians in the operation late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the MoD added.
The Typhoon FGR4s were supported by a Voyager refuelling tanker.
IS - referred to as Daesh - imposed jihadist rule over parts of Iraq and Syria before its territorial defeat in 2019.
"This operation demonstrates our UK leadership, and commitment to operate in unison with our partners, to eliminate any re-emergence of IS and their violent and radical beliefs in the Middle East," the British Defence Secretary the Defence Secretary stated.
RAF aircraft have performed overwatch operations over Syrian airspace to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State following its military defeat at the Baghuz confrontation in 2019, the authorities noted.
"I must thank all the members of our armed forces participating in this strike for their professionalism and their courage," the Defence Secretary said. "They were among numerous British troops stationed over the holidays. This action, to take out terrorist threats who threaten our safety, shows how British military are ready to step up, all year round, ensuring Britain's security at home and strong abroad."
Last December, the US military conducted what it called a "massive strike" against IS targets in the country, following an assault resulted in the deaths of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN says IS still boasts roughly 5-7 thousand militants in Iraq and Syria.
